Elbow Injury Will Sideline Walker Kessler At Least Two Weeks
Nov 8, 2023, 3:15 PM | Updated: Nov 9, 2023, 11:21 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz announced that Walker Kessler has an elbow injury that will sideline the center for at least two weeks.
The team made the announcement Wednesday, November 11 shortly before facing the Indiana Pacers in their ninth game of the season.
“During Utah’s season-opening game versus Sacramento on Oct. 25, Walker Kessler sustained a ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain in his left elbow,” the team said in a release.”
“The injury was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing after Kessler continued to play and experienced discomfort. Rest with non-contact activities has been recommended to accelerate his recovery process. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.”
Walker Kessler Out With Elbow Injury
Kessler’s elbow injury is a significant blow to a Jazz roster that is off to a rough start to their 2023-24 campaign.
The Jazz are just 2-6 through eight games and own the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
Worse yet, Kessler is the Jazz’s defensive anchor on a roster that currently has the 28th-ranked defensive rating in the NBA out of 30 teams.
The @utahjazz announced that Walker Kessler has an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain in his left elbow and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. #takenote | @kslsports
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 8, 2023
The Jazz are giving up 117.9 points per 100 possessions so far this season, besting only the San Antonio Spurs and the Washington Wizards.
After a stellar rookie campaign, Kessler was off to a slow start in his sophomore season averaging 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, all lower than his first-year numbers.
Related: Walker Kessler Named Top 25 Under 25 By ESPN
The center is also shooting just 55 percent from the floor after nearly leading the NBA last season at 72 percent.
The Jazz have six games before Kessler is scheduled to be re-evaluated, including all four In-Season Tournament games.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
